An evaluation of three aerial pasture development methods on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, in terms of herbage on offer, botanical composition and animal performance

1987 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 389 ◽  
Author(s):  
PM Dowling ◽  
GG Robinson ◽  
RD Murison
Keyword(s):  
Management Strategies ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Dead Material ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Development Methods ◽  
Stocking Rates

Herbage mass on offer, botanical composition and livestock production of sheep grazing 3 types of pastures developed by 'aerial' methods at 3 stocking rates (5, 7.5 and 10 sheep/ha) were compared in a 3-year grazing trial at Glen Innes, N.S.W., during 1972-75. The pastures were: resident grass-white clover (F), resident pasture plus surface sown grass (SF), and as for SF but with herbicide application prior to surface sowing ofgrass (HSF). All pasture treatments had equivalent rates of superphosphate applied. The sowing effect and the herbicide effect were statistically analysed by contrasting the pasture treatments: SF-F, HSF-SF, respectively. The SF-F contrast showed that herbage on offer of the sown grasses on the SF pasture was greater, and this difference increased with time. Legume herbage on offer was greater on the SF pasture though it declined with time, and exhibited seasonal variation. The HSF-SF contrast indicated that herbage on offer: of sown grass was greater on the HSF pasture and increased with time; of the herbs component was greater on the HSF pasture during the initial and final stages of the experiment; oflegume was greater on the HSF pasture but the difference declined with time; of resident grass was greater on the SF pasture but the difference declined with time; and of dead material was consistently greater on the SF pasture. The contrasts for the resident grasses and dead material components varied seasonally. Herbage on offer of all pasture components declined as stocking rate was increased. Patterns of decline varied with pasture component and pasture treatment. Mean sheep liveweights were influenced by pasture treatment, with sheep on the HSF pasture being the heaviest, and those on the F pasture, the lightest. Increasing stocking rate decreased mean sheep liveweights on pastures F and SF but increased mean sheep liveweights on the HSF pasture. Liveweight declines were least for sheep grazing the F and SF pastures and liveweight increases were greatest on the HSF pasture during late summer-autumn. Greasy wool production per sheep was greatest on the HSF pasture during 1972-73 but thereafter there were no significant differences between treatments. We conclude that, although animal production was increased by the introduction of sown grasses in the short term, the level of superiority was not as great as expected. Changes in management strategies may be required if the greater production achieved is to be sustained.

Evaluation of natural annual pastures at Trangie in central western New South Wales. 1. Sheep production

1973 ◽  
Vol 13 (62) ◽  
pp. 238
Author(s):  
RJ Campbell ◽  
DG Saville ◽  
GE Robards
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Sheep Production ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Sheep Wool

Natural annual pasture at Trangie, New South Wales, was set stocked from August, 1967 to December 1970 at rates of 2.5, 3.7, and 4.9 merino wethers per ha to determine an optimum stocking rate for the pasture type. All stocking rates were supported without the necessity to hand feed any sheep. Wool production per head was reduced significantly by increased stocking rate in 1968, but not in 1969 and 1970. The suppression of barley grass at the higher stocking rates appeared to benefit animal production in 1969. Substitution of portion of the natural annual pasture with areas of lucerne or natural perennial pasture was also investigated and found to be ineffective in increasing wool production per head above that of wethers at similar rates of stocking on natural annual pasture alone. Possible reasons for the apparent failure of the grazing supplements, particularly lucerne, are discussed in terms of grazing pressure and management strategies.

The effects of phosphorus, sulphur and stocking rate on the yield, chemical and botanical composition of natural pastures, North-West Slopes, New South Wales

1979 ◽  
Vol 19 (101) ◽  
pp. 698 ◽  
Author(s):  
GM Lodge ◽  
EA Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Natural Pasture ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Pasture Yield

The effects of phosphorus (P), sulphur (S) and stocking rate on the dry matter yield, and chemical and botanical composition of natural pasture were examined from November, 1971 to May, 1976 in a 20 point central composite design. P and S were applied annually at five levels (0, 6, 15, 23, 29 kg P ha-1; 0, 14, 34, 54, 67 kg S ha-1) and the plots were grazed continuously at five stocking rates (2.2, 3.2, 4.8, 6.3, 7.3 dry ewes ha-1). Each of the factors, P, S, and stocking rate affected total dry matter. At 4.8 and 6.3 sheep ha-1 the optimum rate of P was 15 kg ha-1, but at 3.2 sheep ha-1 it increased from 15 kg ha-1 to 23 kg ha-1 over the period. S had little effect on yield at the start and end of the experiment, but in between its effect depending on stocking rate; at 3.2 sheep ha-1 low levels (<I4 kg ha-1) were optimal, but at 4.8 and 6.3 sheep ha-1 very high levels (>54 kg ha-1) were needed. The quantity of green grass and legume was low in winter and was not consistently affected by any of the factors. The level of N in the green grass remained at less than 2%. Over the period of the experiment the basal cover of perennial grass and the frequency of annual legume declined, while the percentage of bare ground and annual grass increased. These changes over time could not be related to any of the factors, except that the percentage of A. ramosa declined at the higher stocking rates. In some years high stocking rate decreased the percentage of A. ramosa and S. variabilis, and increased that of C. truncata, D. linkii, K. phleoides and T. glomeratum. In terms of pasture yield, fertilized perennial grass pastures on the North-West Slopes have potential carrying capacities of at least 4.8 dry sheep ha-1. However, to support this high stocking rate without significantly affecting pasture yield high levels of S, around 54 kg ha-1, and moderate levels of P, around 15 kg ha-1, are required. At this higher stocking rate no major changes in botanical composition occurred.

The comparative effects of defoliation, treading and excreta on a Lolium perenne-Trifolium repens pasture grazed by sheep

1983 ◽  
Vol 100 (2) ◽  
pp. 451-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. L. Curll ◽  
R. J. Wilkins
Keyword(s):  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
Trifolium Repens ◽  
Plant Root ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Root Weight ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Stolon Length ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Stocking Rates

SUMMARYThe effects of treading and the return of excreta on a Lolium perenne-Trifolium repens sward defoliated by sheep set-stccked at high and low stocking rates were examined. Sward performance was measured inside ‘graze-through’ cages which allowed defoliation without treading and excreta return, and outside where sheep grazed either fitted with harness to prevent the return of excreta or unharnessed to allow the normal return of excreta. Live-weight gain was measured from excreta return and non-return swards. The treatments imposed had large effects on herbage growth and botanical composition.At a stocking rate of 25 yearling wethers/ha, sheep excreted about 1·1 kg N/ha/day, which increased soil N and led to an increase in herbage growth of about 26 %. The return of excreta increased ryegrass tiller density and this was partly responsible for a 26% reduction in the proportion of clover in the sward; the weight of clover was 13% loss where excreta were returned, and on this treatment stolon length at the end of the experiment was similar to that at the beginning. Doubling the stocking rate increased the N returned via excreta to about 1·3 kg N/ha/day, and this increased herbage growth by 53% but suppressed the proportion of clover by 21%, though not the weight of clover. Clover stolon length decreased during the experiment at this stocking rate, both with and without the return of excreta. Sheep live-weight change benefited from the stimulus to herbage growth where excreta were returned at the high stocking rate, but not at the low stocking rate.Treading by 25 sheep/ha increased soil compaction but had no significant (P > 0·05) overall effect on herbage growth and botanical composition. However, treading by double the number of grazing animals significantly reduced herbage growth by 10%, plant root weight by 47% and the proportion of clover in the sward by 11%.Differences in sward performance between stocking rates were due more to the difference in defoliation intensity between these stocking rates than to either treading or the return of excreta.

Management of lucerne for sheep grazing on the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales

1974 ◽  
Vol 14 (71) ◽  
pp. 726 ◽  
Author(s):  
GT McKinney
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Farm Systems ◽  
Annual Grasses

Eight whole-farm systems of managing lucerne pasture were compared at one high (near optimum) stocking rate of breeding ewes. These systems were continuous grazing (C), a 2-paddocks (2P), two 3-paddocks (3P), three 6-paddocks and one 12-paddocks rotations. Pasture density, yield and composition were almost solely dependent on spelling time. Maximum lucerne density was maintained when spelling times averaged more than 50 days over the year. Near maximum contributions of annual grasses were achieved when spelling times were less than 45 days. Therefore, to optimize persistence of important pasture components a 'minimum spelling time' policy is suggested. This time ranges approximately from 53 weeks in summer to 8 weeks in winter. Animal production appeared to depend on botanical composition and the extent to which lucerne stem was allowed to develop. Where lucerne failed to persist, or spelling times were long, liveweight gain was low over summer. Thus production was lower on C and 12P respectively, than other systems, and 2P and 3P gave the best overall production.

Establishment and persistence of surface-sown and resident grasses using three pasture development methods in relation to three stocking managements

1985 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 562 ◽  
Author(s):  
GG Robinson ◽  
PM Dowling
Keyword(s):  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Native Species ◽  
New South ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Herbicide Application ◽  
Phalaris Aquatica ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Development Methods

The botanical composition of pastures improved by three different methods (viz. fertilizer only; seed and fertilizer; and herbicide, seed and fertilizer), were compared on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. After sowing, the pastures were grazed strategically for 6 months before three continuous stocking rate treatments (5.0, 7.5 and 10 Merino wethers/ha) were applied to each treatment. After 3 years, all paddocks were continuously grazed by 10 Merino wethers/ha for a further 4 years. The establishment of sown species was improved by herbicide application and the lowest stocking rate. Of the four species sown, Phalaris aquatica showed the greatest response to herbicide application, while the cover of Phalaris aquatica and Dactylis glornerata increased at the lowest stocking rate. These factors were less critical for Festuca arundinacea and Lolium perenne for which differences in level of cover between improvement methods disappeared within 12 months. The effects of the strategic management treatments were inconsistent. The resident pasture failed to recover from herbicide treatment and cover and growth of most grasses was depressed by the presence of sown grasses even in the absence of herbicide. The proportion of winter-active native species in the pasture increased with increasing stocking rate.

Productivity and intensive sheep stocking over a five-year period

1967 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. R. W. Spedding ◽  
J. E. Betts ◽  
R. V. Large ◽  
I. A. N. Wilson ◽  
P. D. Penning
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Economic Implications ◽  
Production Processes ◽  
Percentage Weight ◽  
Grazing Systems ◽  
Sheep Production ◽  
Stocking Rates

During the last ten years or so, the management of sheep for intensive lamb production has been studied on a considerable scale, and a variety of grazing systems have been investigated (Dickson, 1959; Cooper, 1959; Spedding & Large, 1959; Boaz, 1959). It is still too soon to specify precisely the place that any of these systems should occupy in sheep-production processes, in relation to breed, lambing percentage, weight of lamb at slaughter, stocking rate, botanical composition of the pasture, size of ewe and level of her milk yield. Quite apart from these biological considerations, the full economic implications are by no means clear. What has emerged most clearly, however, is that much higher stocking rates can be tolerated than had generally been regarded as safe and that, at these stocking rates, productivity can be extremely high.

Grazing system and stocking rate effects on the productivity, botanical composition and soil surface characteristics of alfalfa-grass pastures

1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 669-676 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Popp ◽  
W. P. McCaughey ◽  
R. D. H. Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Soil Surface ◽  
Surface Characteristics ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Basal Cover ◽  
Grazed Pastures ◽  
Litter Cover ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Stocking Rates

A 4-yr experiment was conducted (1991 to 1994) near Brandon, MB, to determine the effects of grazing system (continuous and rotational) and stocking rate [light (1.1 steers ha−1); heavy (2.2 steers ha−1)] on the productivity, botanical composition and soil surface characteristics of an alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.; approximately 70%), meadow bromegrass (Bromus biebersteinii Roem & Schult.; 25%) and Russian wild ryegrass [Psathyrostachys juncea (Fisch.) Nevski; 5%] pasture. Grazing season length was shorter (P < 0.05) for cattle in continuously compared with rotationally stocked pastures in 1991, while in 1993 and 1994 it was shortest (P < 0.05) in heavily stocked continuously grazed pastures. Carrying capacity (steer days ha–1) was greater (P < 0.05) in heavily stocked rotationally grazed pastures compared with other treatments in 1991, 1993 and 1994. In 1992, it was greater (P < 0.05) in heavy than light stocking rate treatments for both rotationally and continuously grazed pastures. Cattle usually gained more (P < 0.05) per day (kg d−1) and during the season (kg hd−1) at light than at heavy stocking rates, while total liveweight production (kg ha−1) was greater (P < 0.05) at heavy than at light stocking rates. Forage production and disappearance did not differ (P > 0.05) within grazing systems and stocking rates from 1991 to 1993, but in 1994, production and disappearance were greater (P < 0.05) at heavy than at light stocking rates. Mean seasonal herbage mass available and carry-over were greater (P < 0.05) in lightly stocked pastures than heavily stocked pastures from 1991 to 1994. After the first year of grazing, the proportion of alfalfa increased (P < 0.05), while grasses declined (P < 0.05) within all grazing treatments. In subsequent years, a trend was observed, where alfalfa declined and grasses increased in all pastures, except those stocked heavily and grazed continuously, which by 1994 had the greatest (P < 0.05) percentage of alfalfa. As years progressed, increases (P < 0.05) in basal cover concurrent with declines in bare ground were recorded on all grazing treatments, while litter cover often did not differ (P > 0.05) within either grazing system or stocking rate, except in 1992, when basal cover was lowest (P < 0.05), while litter cover was greatest (P < 0.05) on lightly stocked continuously grazed pastures compared with other treatments. Stocking rates were a key factor to optimizing individual animal performance and/or gain per hectare on alfalfa grass pastures, however differences in the effect of continuous and rotational stocking on pasture productivity were minimal. Key words: Alfalfa, grazing, stocker cattle, production

An economic analysis of a 10 year rate of stocking trial with fine-wool

1978 ◽  
Vol 18 (92) ◽  
pp. 370 ◽  
Author(s):  
JM George ◽  
RA Pearse
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Labour Costs ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Wool Yield ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Price Relationships ◽  
Clover Pasture

Merino ewes were grazed for 10 years at stocking rates of 8, 12 and 16 ha-1, lambing in winter, spring or summer on a phalaris/white clover pasture on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. Wool production, wool yield and count, and lambing and weaning rates were established for the wide range of climatic conditions experienced. A spring lambing is indicated under the within-year price relationships experienced. Under a wide range of wool and lamb prices the optimum stocking rate varied from 12 to 16 ewes ha-1 depending on labour costs.

Bio-economic evaluation of grazing-management options for beef cattle enterprises during drought episodes in semiarid grasslands of northern Australia

2021 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 72
Author(s):  
M. K. Bowen ◽  
F. Chudleigh ◽  
D. Phelps
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Economic Modelling ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Management Scenarios ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Herd Management ◽  
Stocking Rates

Context The large inter-annual and decadal rainfall variability that occurs in northern Australian rangelands poses major challenges for the profitable and sustainable management of grazing businesses. Aims An integrated bio-economic modelling framework (GRASP integrated with Breedcow and Dynama (BCD)) was developed to assess the effect of alternative grazing-management options on the profitability and sustainability of a beef cattle enterprise in the central-western Mitchell grasslands of Queensland over a multi-decadal time period. Methods Four grazing-management strategies were simulated over a 36-year period (1982–2017) in the GRASP pasture-growth model, using historic climate records for Longreach in central-western Queensland. Simulated annual stocking rates and steer liveweight-gain predictions from GRASP were integrated with published functions for mortality and conception rates in beef-breeding cattle in northern Australia, and then used to develop dynamic BCD cattle-herd models and discounted cash-flow budgets over the last 30 years of the period (1988–2017), following a 6-year model-equilibration period. The grazing-management strategies differed in the extent to which stocking rates were adjusted each year, from a common starting point in Year 1, in response to changes in the amount of forage available at the end of the summer growing season (May). They ranged from a low flexibility of ‘Safe stocking rate’ (SSR) and ‘Retain core herd’ (RCH) strategies, to a moderate flexibility of ‘Drought responsive’ (DR), to a ‘Fully flexible’ (FF) strategy. The RCH strategy included the following two herd-management scenarios: (1) ‘Retain herd structure’, where a mix of cattle were sold in response to low pasture availability, and (2) ‘Retain core breeders’, where steers were sold before reducing the breeder herd. Herd-management scenarios within the DR and FF strategies examined five and four options respectively, to rebuild cattle numbers and utilise available pasture following herd reductions made in response to drought. Key results Property-level investment returns expressed as the internal rate of return (IRR) were poor for SSR (–0.09%) and the three other strategies when the herd was rebuilt following drought through natural increase alone (RCH, –0.27%; DR, –1.57%; and FF, –4.44%). However, positive IRR were achieved when the DR herd was rebuilt through purchasing a mix of cattle (1.70%), purchasing pregnant cows (1.45%), trading steers (0.50%) or accepting cattle on agistment (0.19%). A positive IRR of 0.70% was also achieved for the FF property when purchasing a mix of cattle to rebuild numbers. However, negative returns were obtained when either trading steers (–2.60%) or agistment (–0.11%) scenarios were applied to the FF property. Strategies that were either inflexible or highly flexible increased the risk of financial losses and business failure. Property-level pasture condition (expressed as the percentage of perennial grasses; %P) was initially 69%P and was maintained under the DR strategy (68%P; average of final 5 years). The SSR strategy increased pasture condition by 25% to 86%P, while the RCH and FF strategies decreased pasture condition by 29% (49%P) and 65% (24%P) respectively. Conclusions In a highly variable and unpredictable climate, managing stocking rates with a moderate degree of flexibility in response to pasture availability (DR) was the most profitable approach and also maintained pasture condition. However, it was essential to economic viability that the property was re-stocked as soon as possible, in line with pasture availability, once good seasonal conditions returned. Implications This bio-economic modelling analysis refines current grazing-management recommendations by providing insights into both the economic and sustainability consequences of stocking-rate flexibility in response to fluctuating pasture supply. Caution should be exercised in recommending either overly conservative safe stocking strategies that are inflexible, or overly flexible stocking strategies, due to the increased risk of very poor outcomes.

Superphosphate and stocking rate effects on a native pasture oversown with Stylosanthes humilis in central coastal Queensland. 1. Pasture production

1978 ◽  
Vol 18 (95) ◽  
pp. 788 ◽  
Author(s):  
NH Shaw
Keyword(s):  
Soil Phosphorus ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Average Percentage ◽  
Heteropogon Contortus ◽  
Native Pasture ◽  
Nitrogen Concentrations ◽  
Stocking Rates

Changes in the yield, botanical composition and chemical composition of a native pasture (Heteropogon contortus dominant) oversown with S. humilis (T.S.) were measured in a grazing experiment from 1966 to 1973. The 24 treatments were factorial combinations of two sowing methods for T.S. (ground sowing into spaced cultivated strips, or aerial sowing), three levels of molybdenized superphosphate (F0 = nil ; F1 = 125 kg ha-1 annually; F2 = 250 kg ha-1 annually plus an extra 250 kg ha-1 initially) and four stocking rates. Stocking rates were gradually increased during the experiment and for the last three years overlapping ranges were used for the three fertilizer levels; the overall range was then from 0.55 to 1.65 beasts ha 1 T.S. establishment by ground sowing was much more reliable than from aerial sowing, giving twice the average percentage frequency, and this proportion was maintained over years. High fertilizer improved establishment and the best legume stands were in the high fertilizer high stocking rate treatments. Total presentation yield of pasture was increased by fertilizer and reduced by high stocking rates. Over the last two years the means for March, adjusted by regression to the overall average stocking rate of 0.98 beasts ha-1, were 31 20,4020 and 5370 kg ha-1 for F0, F1 and F2 respectively, but these yields were reduced by ca 25 per cent for an increase of 0.5 beasts ha-1. H. contortus remained dominant and its mean contribution to total yield increased from 48 per cent in 1969 to 67 per cent in 1973. This proportion was reduced by 12.8 per cent over the range from 0.55 to 1.65 beasts ha-1, but high fertilizer had the opposite effect so that differences between the extremes low stocked F0 and high stocked F2 were small. The DM percentage yield of T.S. was strongly increased by fertilizer, and, most importantly, also by high stocking rates in the presence of fertilizer. Values for F0 treatments remained below 10 per cent, but in the final year values for F1 and F2 at the highest stocking rates were 36 and 27 per cent, respectively. Despite these large changes in T.S., there was overall stability of botanical composition. Phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations in T.S. and H. contortus were increased by superphosphate but there was an overall decline in potassium concentration. Soil phosphorus levels were greatly increased

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